ABU DHABI // Historical artefacts and sites across the UAE will now be protected by law, thanks to an approval by the Cabinet on Sunday.
The federal law for the protection of national antiquities will regulate the protection of archaeological sites in the UAE, starting with the establishment of a federal and local registry.
“The law for the protection of archeological sites is important for every country,” said Rashad Bukhash, director of the architectural heritage department at Dubai Municipality. “In the UAE, we had a few laws but it was on the emirate level so this law is very important as the Ministry of Culture and the National Council of Tourism and Antiquities have been working on it for a long time. It’s good that it was finally finished.”
The registry will identify, classify, preserve and safeguard antiquities as well as prohibit their import and export without a licence from the competent authority.
“We have more than 1,000 sites in the UAE but, until now, there are no formal statistics on the exact amount,” said Mr Bukhash. “There are hundreds in Abu Dhabi, a few in Dubai and some in Sharjah. They show our history and civilisation.”
He said some of the sites in Abu Dhabi dated back thousands of years, from 5,000 BC and the Islamic period in Jumeirah and Al Ain.
“It’s also vital to move to the next step where we can register some of them as world heritage sites,” he said. “We’re working on it now with the council. It will really show our national identity and the different relations we had with Oman, Iraq, Iran and as far as India and China. It’s crucial to protect these sites from any kind of demolition or construction.”
The Cabinet also approved the UAE’s membership to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East’s Advisory Commission.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said the membership represented an appreciation of the country and its leadership’s role and support of international humanitarian work and the Palestinian cause.
“The UAE’s contribution to development and relief efforts across the world is one of the most important features of our long-standing diplomacy which the future generations will inherit with pride and appreciation,” he said.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a permanent mission for the UAE at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi.
cmalek@thenational.ae
